5. The OECD: Israel is among the world’s strongest economies, overcoming financial turbulence. Israel’s economic growth is projected at 3.7% and 3.4% for 2013 and 2014 respectively (including 1% related to natural gas) and 4.5% for 2015. The budget deficit is expected to decline to 3% in 2014 and 2.5% in 2015 (The Marker, November 19, 2013).

Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger is consultant to Israel’s Cabinet members and Israeli legislators, and lecturer in the U.S., Canada and Israel on Israel’s unique contributions to American interests, the foundations of U.S.-Israel relations, the Iranian threat, and Jewish-Arab issues.